August 22 2000 Media Statement

Summit studies impact of youth debt

Youth Affairs Minister Laila Harré, in conjunction with national student unions, is hosting a summit on the impact of the student loans scheme on young people.

The summit is being held at the National Library, Wellington, on Friday 25 August.

Laila Harré says it is a chance for young people, and groups that work with young people, to express their views on the student loans scheme.

"The scheme has been in place for nine years, and it's well past time for the community to have a say on the effect it has had.

"Young people in particular haven't previously been consulted on the student loans scheme, yet we know that it is something that many young New Zealanders are very worried about.

"Young people are among those most affected by student loans. Debt affects their ability to access education, it erodes their financial stability, and there are even suggestions that in some cases it affects their mental health. The government should be listening to what they have to say."

Laila Harré says the idea of the summit linked in well with her plans to bolster young people's involvement in decision-making. She also hopes the outcomes of the summit will be carefully considered by the select committee reviewing the scheme, and in the development of any further student loans policy.

The full-day summit starts at 9.30am, Friday August 25 in the National Library Auditorium, Aitken Street, Wellington. A wide range of people will be attending the summit, including high school students, current tertiary students and young people paying off their loans.

A list of participants (by region) is attached.

The Minister's speech will begin at 10am.

ENDS

Organisation Attending # City

UPPER NORTH ISLAND
Auckland University Students' Association 1 Auckland
Auckland Student Movement @ AUT 2 Auckland
Citizens Advocacy 1 Auckland
Auckland University 1 Auckland
Manukau Pacific Island Trust 1 Auckland
The University of Auckland 2 Auckland
Auckland University of Technology 1 Auckland
Te Kohanga Reo National 1 Waitakere City
Tauranga Association of Students 1 Tauranga
Bay of Plenty Polytechnic 1 Tauranga
Waitomo Papakainga 1 Kaitaia
Waiariki Polytechnic Students Association 2 Rotorua
University of Waikato, Academic Services 1 Hamilton
Waikato Polytechnic Assoc of Students 2 Hamilton

LOWER NORTH ISLAND (excluding Wellington)
Mature Employment Support Hawkes Bay 1 Hastings
Wanganui Regional Community Polytechnic Students' Association 10 Wanganui
Te Runanga o Aotearoa Tauira Aronui 1 Waitara
Grey Power 1 Otaki
NZNO 1 Otaki
Kuranui College 2 Greytown
Massey University, 1 Palmerston North
Manawatahi 1 Palmerston North
UCOL Students' Association 3 Palmerston North
UCOL Finance Support 1 Palmerston North

WELLINGTON
Hutt Valley Tongan Community Inc 2 Lower Hutt
Rural Women NZ 1 Wellington
Enterprise NZ Trust 1 Lower Hutt
Office of Hon Laila Harré 4 Wellington
New Zealand University Students' Association 3 Wellington
Aoteroa Tertiary Studuents' Association 2 Wellington
Alliance 3 Wellington
Assn. of Salaried Medical Specialists 1 Wellington
NZ Federation of Family Budgeting Services 1 Wellington
Victoria University of Wellington Students' Association 6 Wellington
New Zealand Council of Social Services 1 Wellington
YMCA (National) 1 Wellington
Wellington City Youth Council 1 Wellington
Age Concern 2 Wellington
Pomare Advisory Service 1 Pomare
Pomare Community House 1 Pomare
Association of University Staff 2 Wellington
Wellington Peoples' Centre 2 Wellington
Maori Law Students Coordinator 1 Wellington
Alliance Backbencher Research Unit 1 Wellington
Hutt Language Group Inc 3 Lower Hutt
NZ Medical Association 1 Wellington
VUW Student Finance 1 Wellington
NZ Council for Educational Research 1 Wellington
Ministry of Education (Maori Group) 1 Wellington
St Catherines College 1 Wellington
New Zealand Vice Chancellors Committee 1 Wellington
National Party 1 Wellington
Green Party Aotearoa 2 Wellington
Education and Science Select Committee 1 Wellington
Central Institute of Technology 5 Wellington
Victoria University Pacific Liaison Office 1 Wellington
Victoria University Maori Liaison Officer 1 Wellington
Alliance Electorate Liaison Unit 1 Wellington
NZNO 1 Wellington
Hutt Valley Polytechnic Students Association 2 Lower Hutt
St Mary's College 1 Churton Park
Wainuiomata College 1 Wainuiomata
Wellington District Law Society 1 Wellington
St Orans College 2 Lower Hutt
Federation of University Women (Wellington Branch) 1 Wellington
Wellington Teacher Trainees Association 2 Wellington
ATSA Member 1 Wellington
Student Fees Officer, Victoria University 4 Wellington
Hutt Valley High School 2 Upper Hutt
Massey @ Wellington Students' Association 8 Wellington
Correspondence School of NZ 2 Wellington
Victoria University of Wellington 1 Wellington
Porirua City Council (Community Development) 2 Porirua
Te Mana Akonga 1 Wellington

SOUTH ISLAND
Otago University Students' Association 1 Dunedin
University of Otago, Academic Services 1 Dunedin
Otago Polytechnic Students' Association 1 Dunedin
Alexandra Council of Social Services 1 Alexandra
Soroptimist International 1 Gore
Southland Beneficiaries and Community Rights Centre 1 Invercargill
NZNO Chch Polytechnic Delegate 1 Christchurch
Methodist Mission Chch 1 Christchurch
Lincoln University Students' Association 1 Christchurch
Chrictchurch City Council (Community Development) 1 Christchurch
University of Canterbury Students' Association 3 Christchurch
Te Akatoki 2 Christchurch
Christchurch Polytechnic Students' Association 1 Christchurch
NZ Nurses Organisation 1 Nelson

TOTAL (as of 22 August 2000) 147

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